Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size It's larger than the size of a Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It also can fold down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a handy travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Keep in mind that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can suffocate a child.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a travel crib, you'll want to make sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. A good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a specific crib is being recall. Select a mattress that is suitable for the crib of your child so that it doesn't slide through the gaps or create a suffocation risk.
When choosing the right bassinet or crib choose one that is in compliance with the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. Also, avoid cribs that are older, modified cribs or drop side cribs that have been used for travel as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be sturdy and well-constructed. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air circulation. The crib's slats should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep baby's head and limbs from being trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or toys in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to pull up on their knees and hands or before 5 months old or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
Examine regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with an infant. Remove all plastic from the crib, too.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure that it's not close to windows. A window is an injury from falling and your baby may be injured when they fall into it. It's recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. It is important to wake your baby when they begin to sleep on their backs.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great option for anyone traveling on vacation, having a guests over, or simply wanting a safe crib to use for a sleepover with friends. These foldable contraptions include an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate children up to 15 kg. They are easy to assemble and compact when closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's simple to fold and to store. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also convenient to use for parents who are tired. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but at 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack strap that some people find more comfortable.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into one compact unit that's perfect for both holidays and overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the cheapest however it comes with many all-singing and all-dancing features like a basket for storage as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night as well as white noise and lullabies to help your baby fall asleep, and its bassinet setting is higher than other models for easier access during the early days when mom is still recovering.
The fabrics are machine washable and washable, which makes it easy to clean. In spite of its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when opened), it's relatively lightweight at just under 12kg and can easily fit into a compact, practical travel bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It comes with six height settings that include a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also incredibly quick to install, with our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. It'll require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. While some families may be inclined to use a bassinet or a crib that they already own but it's better to purchase one specifically designed for travel. These are smaller, with mesh sides that allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them. They are light enough to allow for easy transportation between locations. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib next to your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of pillows, blankets and toys. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and you are both awake and fully dressed.
The types of bedside cribs for babies and infants include:
Some are designed like an oversized crib or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be set down into the parent's bed. This gives parents access to the baby to feed and comfort while avoiding the risks of true co-sleeping, which the AAP cautions against due suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the side of a mattress for a parent. It can also be an ideal option for older babies because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot with an integrated crib that is removable allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They are set next to your bed, allowing you to easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs come with a drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, while others come with a height adjustment, so they will fit in your bed at home and when you go away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However parents are increasingly choosing to co-sleep. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows babies to stay close to their parents while remaining safely separated in their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleeper available such as the iCrib that is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on top of your bed or a regular crib. This model has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is able to be folded into a compact size for storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of the bed and has 7 height settings that can be adjusted and a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It is also available in various colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, like our Lilly and Alain cribs, which can be positioned alongside a traditional bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that slides down so you can take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is completely self-contained and your baby will continue sleeping soundly during this period. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's crib.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. bedside baby bed are typically smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making it easier to transport them into and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in less than one minute, and weighs only three pounds, making it easy to carry and lift.